ORGANIZED BY

• HELLENIC HEALTH FORUM

• 2nd DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS, MEDICAL SCHOOL, NATIONAL AND KAPODISTRIAN UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS

• HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCY CENTRE FOR INFECTIONS, U.K.

WITH PARTICIPATION FROM

• WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE

• EUROPEAN COMMISSION

• ECDC - EUROPEAN CENTRE FOR DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL

UNDER THE AUSPICES OF

HELLENIC MINISTRY OF HEALTH

Objectives

1. To raise awareness of immunization programmes and improve vaccine coverage within Southern, Eastern and Central European countries

2. To inform on recent developments and current research in the field of immunization and vaccinology.

3. To enhance collaborations and exchange of experiences within and between countries.

4. To improve public confidence by addressing common objectives and concerns.

Target Audience: National Immunization Managers, Microbiologists, Immunologists, Molecular Biologists, Public Health Specialists, Paediatricians, Oncologists, Gastroenterologists, Gynaecologists, Respiratory physicians, Epidemiologists, General Practitioners, Pharma/Vaccine specialists, Mathematical Modelers.

Welcome

Dear Colleagues

It is both an honour and a pleasure to invite you to participate in the European Summer Congress on Vaccines and Immunization, which will be held in June 2010 in the beautiful resort of Porto Heli in the Argolis region of the Peloponnese, Greece.

The University of Athens (Greece), the Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections (London, U.K.) and the Hellenic Health Forum are delighted to have the privilege to co-host this important conference and to welcome you you all to Greece, the land where Western science and philosophy began.

Hosting the European Summer Congress on Vaccines and Immunization in Greece will provide a great opportunity for new researchers, especially from Southern and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Southern Africa, to become involved in the spirit and practice of European and further more global collaborations that have flourished over the last decades through the closed, personal communication amongst scientists within these fields.

We therefore, welcome you to Porto Heli in Argolis, on of the birthplaces of Greek civilization, over 4000 years ago. A brand new, purpose –built Conference Centre awaits us there– steps away from the blue sea and set in a region of rare natural and archaeological beauty.

We extend our Greek hospitality to vaccine and immunization colleagues throughout the world, cordially inviting you all to this significant event.

Nicholas J. Legakis .............................Androulla Efstratiou